Electronic device having curved bottom and operation method thereof

ABSTRACT

An electronic device having a curved bottom capable of a rolling motion is disclosed, and includes a housing which forms an outer appearance; at least one sensor which is accommodated in the housing and configured to acquire movement data corresponding to the rolling motion; and at least one processor which is accommodated in the housing and configured to perform at least one function corresponding to the movement data.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments of the present invention relate to an electronicdevice that may tilt by using a curved bottom and an operation methodthereof.

BACKGROUND ART

Currently, with the development of the electronic communicationindustry, user equipment (e.g., electronic devices such as cellularphones, electronic schedulers, personal complex devices, laptopcomputers or the like) is becoming a necessity in modern society and isan important means for delivering rapidly changing information. The userequipment allows the user to conveniently conduct an operation through aGUI (Graphical User Interface) environment using a touch screen, andprovides a variety of multimedia services that are based on the webenvironment.

The user equipment adopts various electronic components in order toprovide a variety of functions. For example, a stereo speaker module ismounted on the user equipment in order to thereby provide a musicreproduction function using a stereo sound. Alternatively, a cameramodule is mounted on the user equipment in order to thereby provide aphotographing function. Alternatively, a communication module is mountedon the user equipment in order to thereby provide a communicationfunction with other electronic devices through the network.

Meanwhile, the recent user equipment has been manufactured to have avariety of appearances to provide an aesthetic sense to the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

Various embodiments of the present invention may provide an electronicdevice that may tilt by a curved bottom.

Various embodiments of the present invention may provide an electronicdevice that can receive a user input without using buttons or touchsensitive devices (e.g., a touch screen or a touch pad).

Technical Solution

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an operation methodof an electronic device having a curved bottom may include: obtainingmovement data corresponding to a rolling motion by the curved bottom;and performing one or more functions corresponding to the movement data.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an electronicdevice may include: a housing that forms a curved bottom capable ofmaking a rolling motion and forms its appearance; a screen that isdisposed on one side of the housing; at least one sensor that isdisposed in the housing and obtain movement data corresponding to therolling motion; and at least one processor that is disposed in thehousing and perform one or more functions corresponding to the movementdata.

Advantageous Effects

Since the electronic device is controlled by moving the electronicdevice instead of buttons or touch sensitive devices (e.g., a touchscreen or a touch pad), it is possible to provide the user with the funand convenience of the operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an electronic device, according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of hardware, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a programming module, according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an electronic device, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partially cross-sectional view corresponding to the line S-Sof the electronic device in FIG. 4, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart that illustrates the operation of an electronicdevice, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart that illustrates showing the operational of anelectronic device, according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart that illustrates the operation of an electronicdevice, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart that illustrates the operation of an electronicdevice, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view showing the motion of an electronic device, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart that illustrates the operation of an electronicdevice, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart that illustrates the operation of an electronicdevice, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart that illustrates the operation of an electronicdevice, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart that illustrates the operation of an electronicdevice, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 to FIG. 17 are views showing the operation of the electronicdevice, according to various embodiments of the present invention.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although variousembodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the drawings andthe relevant detailed descriptions are discussed in the presentinvention, the present invention may include various modifications andseveral embodiments. Accordingly, various embodiments of the presentinvention are not limited to the particular forms, and it should beunderstood that the present invention covers all modifications andchanges, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit andscope of the present invention. In describing the drawings, similarreference numerals are used to designate similar elements.

An electronic device according to various embodiments of the presentinvention may be a device with a communication function. For example,the electronic device may include at least one of a smart phone, atablet Personal Computer (PC), a mobile phone, a video phone, an e-bookreader, a desktop PC, a laptop PC, a netbook computer, a PDA, a PortableMultimedia Player (PMP), an MP3 player, a mobile medical device, acamera, a wearable device (for example, a Head-Mounted-Device (HMD) suchas electronic glasses, electronic clothes, an electronic bracelet, anelectronic necklace, an electronic appcessory, an electronic tattoo, anda smart watch.

According to some embodiments, the electronic device may be a smart homeappliance with a communication function. The smart home appliances mayinclude at least one of, for example, televisions, digital video disk(DVD) players, audio players, refrigerators, air conditioners, cleaners,ovens, microwaves, washing machines, air purifiers, set-top boxes, TVboxes (e.g., HomeSync™ of Samsung, Apple TV™, or Google TV™), gameconsoles, electronic dictionaries, electronic keys, camcorders, orelectronic frames.

According to some embodiments, the electronic device may include atleast one of various types of medical devices (for example, MagneticResonance Angiography (MRA), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), ComputedTomography (CT), a scanning machine, ultrasonic wave device and thelike), a navigation device, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver,an Event Data Recorder (EDR), a Flight Data Recorder (FDR), a carinfotainment device, ship electronic equipment (for example, navigationequipment for a ship, a gyro compass and the like), avionics, a securitydevice, and an industrial or home robot.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device may include at leastone of a part of furniture or a building/structure having acommunication function, an electronic board, an electronic signaturereceiving device, a projector, and various types of measuringinstruments (for example, a water meter, an electric meter, a gas meter,a radio wave meter, and the like). An electronic device according tovarious embodiments of the present invention may be a combination of oneor more of above described various devices. Also, an electronic deviceaccording to various embodiments of the present invention is not limitedto the above described devices.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an electronic device, according toan embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic device 100 may include a bus 110, aprocessor 120, a memory 130, a user input module 140, a display module150, or a communication module 160.

The bus 110 may be a circuit for connecting the elements mentioned abovewith each other and transferring communication data (e.g., controlmessages) between the elements above.

The processor 120 may receive commands from other elements describedabove (e.g., the memory 130, the user input module 140, the displaymodule 150, the communication module 160, or the like) through, forexample, the bus 110, and may decode the received commands to perform acalculation or data processing according to the decoded commands.

The memory 130 may store commands or data that are received from, orcreated by, the processor 120 or other elements (e.g., the user inputmodule 140, the display module 150, the communication module 160, or thelike). The memory 130, for example, may include programming modules,such as a kernel 131, middleware 132, an application programminginterface (API) 133, or applications 134. Each of the above-describedprogram modules may be implemented by software, firmware, hardware, or acombination thereof.

The kernel 131 may control or manage system resources (e.g., the bus110, the processor 120, the memory 130, or the like) that are used forperforming operations or functions implemented by other programmingmodules, such as the middleware 132, the API 133, or the applications134. The kernel 131 may provide an interface by which the middleware132, the API 133, or the applications 134 may access each element of theelectronic device 100 for control or management.

The middleware 132 may play an intermediate role between the API 133 orthe applications 134 and the kernel 131 to communicate with each otherfor the transmission and reception of data. The middleware 132, inrelation to operation requests that are received from (a plurality of)applications 134, may perform load-balancing for the requests by using,for example, a method of giving priority for using system resources(e.g., the bus 110, the processor 120, or the memory 130) of theelectronic device 100 to at least one of the (plurality of) applications134.

The API 133 may be an interface by which the applications 134 controlfunctions provided by the kernel 131 or the middleware 132, and it mayinclude, for example, one or more interfaces or functions for filecontrol, window control, screen processing, or text control.

The user input module 140, for example, may receive commands or datafrom the user and may transfer the same to the processor 120 or thememory 130 through the bus 110. The display module 150 may displayimages, videos, or data to the user.

The communication module 160 may connect communication between theelectronic device 100 and another electronic device 102. Thecommunication module 160 may support a predetermined short rangecommunication protocol {e.g., Wifi (wireless fidelity), BT (Bluetooth),NFC (near field communication), or the like} or a predetermined networkcommunication {e.g., the Internet, a LAN (local area network), a WAN(wire area network), a telecommunication network, a cellular network, asatellite network, or a POTS (plain old telephone service)} 162. Each ofthe electronic devices 102 and 104 may be the same device (for example,the same type) as the electronic device 100 or may be different (forexample, a different type) from the same.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of hardware, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the hardware 200 may include one or more processors210, a SIM (subscriber identification module) card 214, a memory 220, acommunication module 230, a sensor module 240, a user input module 250,a display module 260, an interface 270, an audio codec 280, a cameramodule 291, a power management module 295, a battery 296, an indicator297, or a motor 298.

The processor 210 may include one or more application processors (AP)211 or one or more communication processors (CP) 213. Although the AP211 and the CP 213 are illustrated to be included in the processor 210in FIG. 2, the AP 211 and the CP 213 may be separately included indifferent IC packages. The AP 211 and the CP 213 may be included in asingle IC package.

The AP 211 may control a plurality of hardware or software elements thatare connected with the AP 211, and may perform processing of a varietyof data including multimedia data and a calculation, by executing anoperating system or application programs. The AP 211 may be implementedby, for example, a system on chip (SoC). The processor 210 may furtherinclude a graphic processing unit (GPU) (not shown).

The CP 213 may manage the data link for the communication between thehardware 200 and other hardware devices connected thereto through thenetwork, and may perform a function of converting a communicationprotocol. The CP 213, for example, may be implemented by the SoC. The CP213 may perform at least some of the multimedia control functions. TheCP 213, for example, may perform identification and authentication of aterminal in the communication network by using the subscriberidentification module (e.g., the SIM card 214). The CP 213 may provideservices, such as voice calls, video calls, text messages, or packetdata to the user.

The CP 213 may control the data transmission and reception of thecommunication module 230. Although the elements, such as the CP 213, thepower management module 295, or the memory 220, are illustrated to beseparated from the AP 211 in FIG. 2, the AP 211 may be implemented toinclude at least some (e.g., the CP 213) of the elements describedabove.

The AP 211 or the CP 213 may load commands or data received from atleast one of non-volatile memories or other elements, which areconnected with the AP 211 or the CP 213, in a volatile memory, and mayprocess the same. The AP 211 or the CP 213 may store data that isreceived from, or created by, one or more other elements in anon-volatile memory.

The SIM card 214 may be a card that implements the subscriberidentification module, and may be inserted into a slot that is formed ina specific position of the hardware 200. The SIM card 214 may includeinherent identification information {e.g., an integrated circuit cardidentifier (ICCID)} or subscriber information {e.g., an internationalmobile subscriber identity (IMSI)}.

The memory 220 may include an internal memory 222 or an external memory224. The internal memory 222, for example, may include at least one ofvolatile memories (e.g., a dynamic RAM (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), asynchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), or the like) or non-volatile memories(e.g., one time programmable ROM (OTPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), anerasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable andprogrammable ROM (EEPROM), a mask ROM, a flash ROM, a NAND flash memory,a NOR flash memory, or the like). The internal memory 222 may be a solidstate drive (SSD). The external memory 224 may further include, forexample, compact flash (CF), secure digital (SD), micro secure digital(Micro-SD), mini secure digital (Mini-SD), extreme digital (xD), amemory stick, or the like.

The communication module 230 may include a wireless communication module231 or an RF module 234. The wireless communication module 231, forexample, may include a WiFi module 233, a BT (Bluetooth) module 235, aGPS module 237, or an NFC (near field communication) module 239. Forexample, the wireless communication module 231 may provide a wirelesscommunication function by using a radio frequency. Additionally oralternatively, the wireless communication module 231 may include anetwork interface (e.g., a LAN card) or a modem for connecting thehardware 200 to the network {e.g., the Internet, a LAN (local areanetwork), a WAN (wire area network), a telecommunication network, acellular network, a satellite network, or a POTS (plain old telephoneservice)}.

The RF module 234 may transmit and receive data, and for example, maytransmit and receive RF signals or the called electronic signals.Although it is not shown in the drawing, the RF module 234, for example,may include a transceiver, a PAM (power amp module), a frequency filter,or a LNA (low noise amplifier). The RF module 234 may further includecomponents, such as conductors or cables, for transmitting and receivingelectromagnetic waves through free space in wireless communication.

The sensor module 240, for example, may include at least one of agesture sensor 240A, a proximity sensor 240B, a grip sensor 240C, a gyrosensor 240D, an acceleration sensor 240E, a geomagnetic sensor 240F, anatmospheric sensor 240G, a temperature/humidity sensor 240H, a hallsensors 240I, an RGB (red, green, blue) sensor 240J, an illuminancesensor 240K, a biometric sensor 240L, or a UV (ultra violet) sensor240M. The sensor module 240 may measure physical quantities and maydetect an operation state of the hardware to thereby convert themeasured or detected information to electric signals.Alternatively/additionally, the sensor module 240 may include, forexample, an E-nose sensor (not shown), an electromyography sensor (EMG)(not shown), an electroencephalogram sensor (EEG) (not shown), anelectrocardiogram sensor (ECG) (not shown), or a fingerprint sensor. Thesensor module 240 may further include a control circuit for controllingone or more sensors included therein.

The user input module 250 may include a touch panel 252, a (digital) pensensor (e.g., a digitizer) 254, a key 256, or an ultrasonic input device258. The touch panel 252 may recognize a touch input by at least one of,for example, a capacitive type, a pressure-sensitive type, an infraredtype, or an ultrasonic type. The touch panel 252 may further include acontroller that is not shown. In the case of a capacitive type, theproximity as well as a physical touch may be detected. The touch panel252 may further include a tactile layer. In this case, the touch panel252 may provide the user with a tactile reaction.

The (digital) pen sensor 254, for example, may be implemented by usingat least one of a capacitive type, a pressure-sensitive type, aninfrared type, or an ultrasonic type, which is identical or similar tothe user's touch input method, or by using a separate recognition sheet.For example, a keypad or a touch key may be used as the key 256. Theultrasonic input device 258 may detect acoustic waves at a terminalthrough a pen that generates ultrasonic signals to thereby identifydata, and the ultrasonic input device may perform wireless recognition.The hardware 200 may receive a user input from the external device(e.g., a network computer or a server), which is connected thereto, byusing the communication module 230.

The display module 260 may include a panel 262 or a hologram 264. Thepanel 262, for example, may be an LCD (liquid crystal display) or anAM-OLED (active-matrix organic light-emitting diode). The panel 262, forexample, may be implemented to be flexible, transparent, or wearable.The panel 262 may be configured with the touch panel 252 as a singlemodule. The hologram 264 may display 3D images in the air by usinginterference of light. The display module 260 may further include acontrol circuit for controlling the panel 262 or the hologram 264.

The interface 270, for example, may include an HDMI (high-definitionmultimedia interface) 272, a USB (universal serial bus) 274, a projector276, or a D-Sub (D-Subminiature) 278. Additionally or alternatively, theinterface 270, for example, may include SD (Secure Digital)/MMC(Multi-Media Card) or IrDA (Infrared Data Association), which is notshown.

The audio codec 280 may convert a sound into an electric signal, andvice versa. The audio codec 280, for example, may process voiceinformation that is input or output through a speaker 282, a receiver284, earphones 286, or a microphone 288.

The camera module 291 may photograph still images and moving images.According to an embodiment, the camera module 291 may include one ormore image sensors (e.g., a front lens or a rear lens), an image signalprocessor (ISP) (not shown), or a flash LED (not shown).

The power management module 295 may manage power of the hardware 200.Although it is not shown, the power management module 295 may include,for example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC), a chargerintegrated circuit (IC), or a battery fuel gauge.

The PMIC may be mounted, for example, in the integrated circuit or theSoC semiconductor. The charging may be conducted in a wired type or awireless type. The charger IC may charge the battery and may prevent aninflow of an excessive voltage or current from the charger. The chargerIC may include a charger IC for at least one of the wired charging typeor the wireless charging type. The wireless charging type may encompass,for example, a magnetic resonance type, a magnetic induction type, or anelectromagnetic wave type, and additional circuits, such as coil loops,resonance circuits, or rectifiers, for wireless charging may beprovided.

The battery gauge may measure, for example, the remaining power of thebattery 296, a charging voltage and current, or temperature. The battery296 may generate and supply power, and for example, may be arechargeable battery.

The indicator 297 may show a specific state of the hardware 200 or apart thereof (e.g., the AP 211), such as a booting state, a messagestate, or a charging state. The motor 298 may convert an electricalsignal into a mechanical vibration. An MCU (Micro Control Unit), whichis not shown in the drawing, may control the sensor module 240.

Although it is not shown, the hardware 200 may include a processingdevice (e.g., the GPU) for supporting mobile TV. The processing devicefor supporting mobile TV may process media data according to thestandard, such as, for example, digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB),digital video broadcasting (DVB), or media flow.

The names of the above described elements of hardware according to anembodiment may vary depending on the type of hardware. The hardware 200according to an embodiment of the present invention may include at leastone of the above-described elements. Some of the above-describedelements may be omitted from the hardware 200, or the hardware 200 mayfurther include additional elements. Also, some of the hardwarecomponents according to one embodiment may be combined into one entity,which may perform functions identical to those of the relevantcomponents before the combination.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a programming module, according toan embodiment of the present invention. The programming module 300 maybe included (for example, stored) in the electronic device 100 (e.g.,the memory 130) shown in FIG. 1. At least some of the programming module300 may be configured by software, firmware, hardware, or a combinationthereof. The program module 300 may be implemented in the hardware(e.g., the hardware 200) to include an operating system (OS) thatcontrols resources related to the electronic device (e.g., theelectronic device 100) or various applications (e.g., the applications370), which are executed under the OS. For example, the OS may beAndroid, iOS, Windows, Symbian, Tizen, Bada, or the like.

Referring to FIG. 3, the programming module 300 may include a kernel310, middleware 330, an API (application programming interface) 360, orapplications 370.

The kernel 310 (e.g., the kernel 131) may include a system resourcemanager 311 or a device driver 312. The system resource manager 311, forexample, may include a process management unit, a memory managementunit, or a file system management unit, which is not shown in thedrawing. The system resource manger 311 may perform the control,allocation, or collection of system resources. The device driver 312,for example, may include a display driver, a camera driver, a Bluetoothdriver, a shared memory driver, a USB driver, a keypad driver, a WiFidriver, or an audio driver, which is not shown in the drawing. Thedevice driver 312 may include an IPC (Inter-Process Communication)driver that is not shown.

The middleware 330 may include a plurality of modules that areimplemented in advance in order to provide a common function that isnecessary for the applications 370. The middleware 330 may providefunctions through the API 360 in order for the applications 370 toeffectively use the limited system resources inside the electronicdevice. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the middleware 330 (e.g., themiddleware 132) may include at least one of a run-time library 335, anapplication manager 341, a window manager 342, a multimedia manager 343,a resource manager 344, a power manager 345, a database manager 346, apackage manager 347, a connectivity manager 348, a notification manager349, a location manager 350, a graphic manager 351, or a securitymanager 352.

The run-time library 335, for example, may include a library module thata compiler uses in order to add new functions through programminglanguage while the applications 370 are executed. The run-time library335 may perform functions of the input/output management, the memorymanagement, or an arithmetic calculation.

The application manager 341 may manage a life cycle of at least one ofthe applications 370. The window manager 342 may manage a GUI resourceused in the screen. The multimedia manager 343 may recognize formatsthat are necessary for the reproduction of various media files, and mayperform encoding or decoding of the media files by using a codeccorresponding to the format. The resource manager 344 may manageresources, such as source codes of one or more applications 370,memories, or storages.

The power manager 345 may manage a battery or a power source inassociation with a basic input/output system (BIOS), and may providepower information necessary for the operation of the electronic device.The database manager 346 may create, retrieve, or change a database usedin one or more applications 370. The package manager 347 may manage theinstallation or update of the application that is distributed in theform of a package file.

The connectivity manager 348, for example, may manage a wirelessconnection, such as WiFi or Bluetooth. The notification manager 349 maydisplay or notify of events, such as received massages, appointments, orproximity notifications, in a manner that does not disturb the user. Thelocation manager 350 may manage location information of the electronicdevice. The graphic manager 351 may manage graphic effects to beprovided to the user and user interfaces related thereto. The securitymanager 352 may provide general security functions necessary for systemsecurity or user authentication. In the case where the electronic device(e.g., the electronic device 100) adopts a phone call function, themiddleware 330 may further include a telephony manager (not shown) tomanage a voice or video phone call function of the electronic device.

The middleware 330 may create and use a new middleware module through acombination of various functions of the above-described elements. Themiddleware 330 may provide modules that are specialized according to thetype of operating system in order to provide differentiated functions.The middleware 330 may dynamically exclude some of the existingelements, or may further include new elements. Some of the elementsdescribed in the various embodiments of the invention may be omitted, ormay be replaced by elements in different names, which perform similarfunctions. Alternatively, other elements may be further added thereto.

The API 360 (e.g., the API 133), which is a group of API programmingfunctions, may be provided to have a different configuration dependingon the operating system. For example, in the case of Android or iOS, asingle API set may be provided for each platform. In the case of Tizen,two or more API sets may be provided.

The applications 370 (e.g., the applications 134), for example, mayinclude preloaded applications or third party applications.

At least some of the programming module 300 may be implemented byinstructions that are stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Ifthe instruction is executed by one or more processors (e.g., theprocessor 120), the one or more processors may perform the functioncorresponding to the instruction. The computer-readable storage medium,for example, may be the memory 130. At least some of the programmingmodule 300, for example, may be implemented (for example, executed) bythe processor 120. At least some of the programming module 300 mayinclude, for example, modules, programs, routines, a set ofinstructions, or processes to perform one or more functions.

The names of component elements of a programming module (for example,the programming module 300) according to various embodiments of thepresent invention may be different for each type of OS. A programmingmodule according to the present invention may include at least one ofthe described component elements, a few of the component elements may beomitted, or additional component elements may be included.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an electronic device, according to anembodiment of the present invention. The electronic device 400 may bethe hardware 100 shown in FIG. 1. The electronic device 400 may includea housing 500 that forms its appearance and accommodates a plurality ofelectronic components. The bottom 520 of the housing 500 is shaped intoa curved surface, and the electronic device 400 may make a rollingmotion by the curved bottom 520 of the housing 500. The electronicdevice 400 may tilt to one side (e.g., forward, backward, left, orright) by the rolling motion. The electronic device 400 maysimultaneously rotate and move while making the rolling motion. A touchscreen 401 may be disposed on the upper portion (for example, theopposite side of the curved bottom 520) of the housing 500. The touchscreen 401 may have a curved shape that is concave towards the bottom,as shown in the drawing. In addition, although it is not shown, thetouch screen 401 may have a curved shape that is convex upwards.

Referring to FIG. 4, the electronic device 400 may include a touchscreen 401, a speaker 402, one or more sensors 403, a camera 404, one ormore keys 405, an external port 406, a microphone 407, or a jack 408.

The touch screen 401 may display images, and may receive a touch input.The touch screen 401 may include a display and a touch panel.

The speaker 402 may convert an electric signal into a sound to beoutput.

One or more sensors 403 (e.g., the sensor module 240) may measurephysical quantities or may detect an operation state of the electronicdevice 400 in order to thereby convert the measured or detectedinformation to electric signals. One or more sensors 403 may be mountedon a specific position. One or more sensors 403 may include at least oneof a gesture sensor, a proximity sensor, a grip sensor, a gyro sensor,an acceleration sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, an atmospheric sensor, atemperature/humidity sensor, a hall sensor, an RGB (red, green, blue)sensor, an illuminance sensor, a biometric sensor, or a UV (UltraViolet) sensor.

The camera 404 (e.g., the camera module 291) may photograph still imagesand moving images, and may include one or more image sensors, an ISP(Image Signal Processor) (not shown), or a flash LED (not shown).

The key 405 (e.g., the key 256) may include a press key or a touch key.The key 405 may include a key for adjusting the volume and a key forturning on and off the power source.

The external port 406 (e.g., the interface 270) may be used as acharging port or a port to be connected with an HDMI (high-definitionmultimedia interface), a USB (universal serial bus), or a D-sub(D-subminiature) cable.

The microphone 407 (e.g., the microphone 288) may convert a sound intoan electrical signal.

The jack 408 may be electrically connected with the plug of theearphones (e.g., the earphones 286) or a headset. The jack 408 may becovered with a lid when it is not used.

FIG. 5 is a partially cross-sectional view corresponding to the line S-Sin the electronic device of FIG. 4, according to various embodiments ofthe present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the electronic device 400 may include a bracket410, a back case 420, a battery cover 430, a touch screen module 440, amain circuit board 450, or a battery 460.

The bracket 410 may be a mounting plate to install a plurality ofelectronic components thereon. The bracket 410 may be formed of anon-metallic or metallic material. The bracket 410 may be a frame to fixand support a plurality of electronic components (e.g., the touch screen401, the speaker 402, one or more sensors 403, the camera 404, one ormore keys 405, the external port 406, the microphone 407, or the jack408). The bracket 410 may have a shape corresponding to the curvedsurface of the electronic device 400. The touch screen module 440 may bemounted on the upper surface of the bracket 410. The main circuit board450 may be mounted on the lower surface of the bracket 410. The bracket410 may have electronic components including a PCB (Printed CircuitBoard), which are mounted thereon. The electronic components, which areconnected with the main circuit board 450 through electric connectionmeans {e.g., cables or an FPCB (Flexible Printed Circuit Board)}, may bemounted on the bracket 410.

The bracket 410 may have a plurality of grooves that receive a number ofcomponents. For instance, the bracket 410 may have a touch screen modulearrangement groove 411 on which the touch screen module 440 may rest.The touch screen module arrangement groove 411 of the bracket 410 mayhave a shape corresponding to the curved shape of the touch screenmodule 440. The bracket 410 may have a groove 412-1 that accepts theelectronic components 451 that protrude upwards from the main circuitboard 450. In addition, the bracket 410 may have a battery receptiongroove 412-2 on the lower surface, which is concave upwards toaccommodate a part of the battery 460. The bracket 410 may include ametal portion (e.g., a metal coating), which may be electricallyconnected to the ground of the main circuit board 450.

The back case 420 may be coupled (for example, snap-fit-fastened orbolt-fastened) to the bracket 410. In an embodiment of the presentinvention, the back case 420 may be provided as an integral body withthe battery cover 430 instead of being separated from the battery cover430. The back case 420 may have a shape corresponding to the curvedshape of the electronic device 400. The back case 420 may cover aplurality of components (e.g., the main circuit board 450), which arefixed to the bracket 410. The bracket 410, the back case 420, and themain circuit board 450 may be coupled to each other by using abolt-fastening method. The back case 420 may have a groove 412-3 capableof accommodating the electronic components 452 that protrude downwardsfrom the main circuit board 450. The back case 420 may have a batterythrough-groove 422 through which the battery 460 passes. As illustrated,the battery through-groove 422 may be an opening that extends from thetop to the bottom of the back case 420, and may lead to the batteryreception groove 412-2 in the container shape of the bracket 410. Whenthe bracket 410 and the back case 420 are coupled to each other, thebattery reception groove 412-2 of the bracket 410 and the batterythrough-groove 422 of the back case 420 may form a space in the shape ofa container to accommodate the battery 460. The battery through-groove422 of the back case 420 may be the shape of a container that fullyaccommodates the battery 460 by itself, and the bracket 410 may not benecessary. In addition, the battery reception groove 412-2 of thebracket 410 may be the shape of a container that fully accommodates thebattery 460 by itself, and the battery through-groove 422 of the backcase 420 may not be necessary. The battery 460 may be a shapecorresponding to the curved shape of the electronic device 400.

The battery cover 430 may be detachably coupled to the back case 420.The battery cover 430 may include a plurality of hooks (not shown) thatare fastened to a plurality of hook fastening grooves of the back case420 on the edge thereof. The battery cover 430 may form the curvedbottom 520 of the electronic device 400. The electronic device 400 maymake a rolling motion by the curved bottom 520 of the battery cover 420.When all of the bracket 410, the back case 420, and the battery cover430 are coupled, a part of the back case 420 may form the side of theelectronic device 400 and the battery cover 430 forms the curved bottom520 of the electronic device 400 while the bracket 410 is not exposed.

The touch screen module 440 may be attached to the upper portion of thebracket 410. Here, the touch screen module 440 may have a curved shapethat is concave downwards. The touch screen module 440 may beelectrically connected to the main circuit board 450, and may displayimages corresponding to signals from the main circuit board 450. Thetouch screen module 440 may include a window, a touch panel, and adisplay panel. The window is transparent and may be positioned on thetouch panel in order to thereby allow the images from the display panel(e.g., the panel 262) to output to the outside. The touch panel (e.g.,the touch panel 252) may be disposed under the window, and may recognizea touch input. The touch panel may be applied with at least one of acapacitive type, a pressure-sensitive type, an infrared type, or anultrasonic type. The main circuit board 450 may receive a touch inputfrom the touch panel. The display panel (e.g., the panel 262) may bedisposed under the touch panel. The display panel may display imagescorresponding to signals transmitted from the main circuit board 450.The display panel may include an LCD (liquid crystal display) or anAM-OLED (active-matrix organic light-emitting diode). Here, the displaypanel may be implemented to be flexible. Alternatively, the displaypanel may be a flexible wraparound display panel. Alternatively, thedisplay panel may be configured as a single module with the touch panel.The display panel may be configured as a single module (e.g., a touchscreen) with the window and the touch panel.

The main circuit board 450 (e.g., a main board or a mother board) is themounting plate on which a basic circuit and a plurality of electroniccomponents are mounted. The main circuit board 450 may: configure theexecution environment of the electronic device 400; keep the informationthereof; secure stable driving of the electronic device 400; andfacilitate the exchange, input, and output of data of all the devices inthe electronic device 400. The main circuit board 450 may be coupled tothe lower portion of the bracket 410 by using a fastening method, suchas a bolt. At least some of the main circuit board 450 may be a shapecorresponding to the curved shape of the electronic device 400.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of the operation of the electronicdevice, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, in operation 601, the processor 210 may obtainmovement data corresponding to the rolling motion by the curved bottom520. The processor 210 may obtain the movement data (for example,rotational direction, a rotation angle, rotation speed, a movingdistance, or the like) on the rolling motion by using one or moresensors (e.g., a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, a geomagneticsensor, or the like). The movement data may include dynamic data (forexample, rotational direction or acceleration) on the rolling motion.

The processor 210 may obtain the movement data corresponding to therolling motion in a standby mode (sleep mode or power saving mode). Whena user's touch on a predetermined position of the electronic device 400is detected, the processor 210 may obtain the movement datacorresponding to the rolling motion. For example, if the user touchesthe upper edge of the housing 500 of the electronic device 400 andpresses down on the same, the electronic device 400 may make a rollingmotion, and the processor 210 may obtain the movement data correspondingto the rolling motion. In addition, if the user lifts up the electronicdevice 400 while touching the lower edge of the housing of theelectronic device 400, even though the electronic device 400 makes arolling motion, the processor 210 may not obtain the movement datacorresponding to the rolling motion.

In operation 603, the processor 210 may perform one or more functionscorresponding to the movement data. For example, one or more functionscorresponding to the movement data may include reproducing audio contentor displaying video content. One or more functions corresponding to themovement data may be the releasing of the standby mode. One or morefunctions corresponding to the movement data may include one or morefunctions regarding activated applications.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of the operation of the electronicdevice, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, in operation 701, the processor 210 may obtain themovement data corresponding to the rolling motion by the curved bottom520.

In operation 703, the processor 210 may identify whether or not themovement data is contained in the stored reference data.

If the movement data is contained in the stored reference data, theprocessor 210 may perform one or more functions in operation 705. Forexample, if a rotation angle due to the rolling motion does not exceed athreshold angle, the processor 210 may not perform at least onefunction.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of the operation of the electronicdevice, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, in operation 801, the processor 210 may identifywhether or not the electronic device 400 moves within a threshold time.The processor 210 may identify whether or not the electronic device 400moves, based on the data from one or more sensors (e.g., the gyro sensor240D, the acceleration sensor 240E, or the geomagnetic sensor 240F).

If the electronic device 400 does not move within the threshold time,the processor 210 may obtain posture data on the electronic device 400in operation 803. The posture data may include the dynamic data on thestatic posture to prepare a rolling motion.

In operation 805, after the threshold time, the processor 210 may obtainthe movement data corresponding to the rolling motion of the electronicdevice 400 due to the curved bottom 520.

In operation 807, the processor 210 may compare the movement data andthe posture data.

In operation 809, the processor 210 may determine whether or not thecomparison result of the posture data and the movement data satisfies atleast one criterion. For example, the processor 210 may determine thatthe criterion is satisfied when a change in acceleration exceeds athreshold value.

If the comparison result of the posture data and the movement datasatisfies at least one criterion, the processor 210 may perform one ormore functions in operation 811.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart of the operation of the electronicdevice, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, in operation 901, the processor 210 may obtain thefirst data (e.g., three-axis values), which corresponds to a staticstate from the acceleration sensor 240E and/or the gyro sensor 240D.

In operation 903, the processor 210 may obtain the second data (e.g.,three-axis values), which corresponds to the rolling motion from theacceleration sensor 240E and/or the gyro sensor 240D.

In operation 905, the processor 210 may compare the first data and thesecond data.

In operation 907, the processor 210 may determine whether or not thecomparison result of the first data and the second data satisfies atleast one criterion.

If the comparison result of the first data and the second data satisfiesat least one criterion, the processor 210 may perform one or morefunctions in operation 909.

FIG. 10 is a view showing the motion of the electronic device, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, when the user presses down one side edge of theelectronic device 400, the electronic device 400 may make a rollingmotion due to the curved bottom 520. For example, when the electronicdevice 400 is in the rolling motion, the electronic device 400 isrotated about the y-axis, and the processor 210 may determine whether ornot a y-axis value from the gyro sensor 240D exceeds a reference value.If the y-axis value from the gyro sensor 240D exceeds the referencevalue, the processor 210 may determine whether or not an x-axis value ofthe acceleration sensor 240D is maintained to be equal to or more than areference value. If the x-axis value of the acceleration sensor 240D ismaintained to be equal to or more than the reference value, theprocessor 210 may take the input for the first input (e.g., a long-pressinput). Otherwise, the processor 210 may take the input for the secondinput (e.g., a short-press input).

FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart of the operation of the electronicdevice, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11, in operation 1101, the processor 210 may identifywhether or not a user's touch is made on a predetermined position of theelectronic device 400 by using one or more sensors (e.g., the proximitysensor 240B, the grip sensor 240C, or the like).

If the user's touch is made on the predetermined position of theelectronic device 400, in operation 1103, the processor 210 may obtainthe movement data corresponding to the rolling motion by using one ormore sensors (e.g., the proximity sensor 240B, the gyro sensor 240D, theacceleration sensor 240E, or the geomagnetic sensor 240F). On thecontrary, if the user's touch is not made on the predetermined positionof the electronic device 400, the processor 210 may not obtain themovement data corresponding to the rolling motion. For example, if theuser presses down the upper edge of the housing 500 of the electronicdevice 400, the electronic device 400 makes a rolling motion, and theprocessor 210 may obtain the movement data corresponding to the rollingmotion. In addition, if the user lifts up the lower edge of the housing500 of the electronic device 400 while touching the same, the electronicdevice 400 makes a rolling motion, but the processor 210 may not obtainthe movement data corresponding to the rolling motion.

In operation 1105, the processor 210 may perform one or more functionscorresponding to the movement data.

FIG. 12 illustrates a flowchart showing the operation of the electronicdevice, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, in operation 1201, the processor 210 may determinewhether or not the electronic device is in the standby mode.

If the electronic device is in the standby mode, the processor 210 mayobtain the movement data corresponding to the rolling motion inoperation 1203.

In operation 1205, the processor 210 may perform one or more functions(e.g., releasing of the standby mode, displaying of notificationinformation, or the like) corresponding to the movement data.

FIG. 13 illustrates a flowchart showing the operations of the electronicdevice, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 13, in operation 1301, the processor 210 may identifywhether or not one or more events (e.g., call reception, messagereception, the arrival of a specific time, or the like) occur.

In operation 1303, the processor 210 may activate a specific applicationin response to the event. For example, when receiving a call, theprocessor 210 may activate a call application. In addition, whenreceiving a message, the processor 210 may activate a messagingapplication.

In operation 1305, the processor 210 may obtain the movement datacorresponding to the rolling motion from one or more sensors (e.g., theproximity sensor 240B, the gyro sensor 240D, the acceleration sensor240E, or the geomagnetic sensor 240F).

In operation 1307, the processor 210 may perform one or more functionsof the activated application corresponding to the movement data.

FIG. 14 illustrates a flowchart showing the operations of the electronicdevice, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In operation 1401, the processor 210 may identify the rotationaldirection of the rolling motion of the electronic device 400 due to thecurved bottom 520.

If the electronic device 400 rotates to the right due to the rollingmotion, the processor 210 may determine whether or not the rotationangle thereof exceeds a threshold angle in operation 1403.

If the rotation angle exceeds the threshold angle, the processor 210 maydetermine whether or not the time, for which the rotation angleexceeding the threshold angle remains, is greater than a threshold timein operation 1405.

If the time, for which the rotation angle exceeding the threshold angleremains, is greater than the threshold time, the processor 210 may takethe input for a right long-press input and may process the same inoperation 1406. If the time, for which the rotation angle exceeding thethreshold angle remains, is not greater than the threshold time, theprocessor 210 may take the input for a right short-press input and mayprocess the same in operation 1407.

If the electronic device 400 rotates to the left due to the rollingmotion, the processor 210 may determine whether or not the rotationangle thereof exceeds a threshold angle in operation 1409.

If the rotation angle exceeds the threshold angle, the processor 210 maydetermine whether or not the time, for which the rotation angleexceeding the threshold angle remains, is greater than a threshold timein operation 1411.

If the time, for which the rotation angle exceeding the threshold angleremains, is greater than the threshold time, the processor 210 may takethe input for a left long-press input and may process the same inoperation 1413. If the time, for which the rotation angle exceeding thethreshold angle remains, is not greater than the threshold time, theprocessor 210 may take the input for a left short-press input and mayprocess the same in operation 1415.

FIG. 15 to FIG. 17 are views showing the operation of the electronicdevice, according to various embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 15, the electronic device 400 may reproduce the nextsong in response to a right short-press gesture of the user whilereproducing the music. In addition, the electronic device 400 mayreproduce the previous song in response to a left short-press gesture ofthe user while reproducing the music.

Referring to FIG. 16, in response to a right or left long-press gestureof the user in the standby mode, the electronic device 400 may releasethe standby mode and may display a variety of notification information(e.g., time, messages, or the like), which corresponds to the tilteddirection to the left or right

Referring to FIG. 17, in response to the right or left press gesture ofthe user during the execution of a game application, the electronicdevice 400 may move and display moving objects (e.g., cars) in the game.Alternatively, the electronic device 400 may detect the degree of theslope to the left or right with respect to the equilibrium state, andmay control the moving objects in the game according thereto.

Although specific exemplary embodiments have been described in thedetailed description of the present invention, various change andmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present inventionshould not be defined as being limited to the embodiments, but should bedefined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Methods stated in claims and/or specifications according to variousembodiments may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combinationof hardware and software.

In the implementation of software, a computer-readable storage mediumfor storing one or more programs (software modules) may be provided. Theone or more programs stored in the computer-readable storage medium maybe configured for execution by one or more processors within theelectronic device. The at least one program may include instructionsthat cause the electronic device to perform the methods according tovarious embodiments of the present invention as defined by the appendedclaims and/or disclosed herein.

The programs (software modules or software) may be stored innon-volatile memories including a random access memory and a flashmemory, a Read Only Memory (ROM), an Electrically Erasable ProgrammableRead Only Memory (EEPROM), a magnetic disc storage device, a CompactDisc-ROM (CD-ROM), Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs), or other type opticalstorage devices, or a magnetic cassette. Alternatively, any combinationof some or all of the may form a memory in which the program is stored.Further, a plurality of such memories may be included in the electronicdevice.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: a housingthat forms a curved bottom capable of making a rolling motion and formsan appearance of the electronic device; a screen that is disposed on oneside of the housing; and at least one processor that is disposed in thehousing and is configured to: obtain movement data corresponding to therolling motion of the electronic device by the curved bottom, themovement data comprising three-axis values from one of an accelerationsensor or a gyro sensor, determine the rolling motion of the electronicdevice as a long-press input or a short-press input based on themovement data, and perform at least one function corresponding to thedetermination of the long-press input or the short-press input.
 2. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor isfurther configured to: obtain posture data of the electronic device ifthe electronic device does not move within a threshold time, the posturedata comprising three-axis values from the acceleration sensor or thegyro sensor, and determine the rolling motion of the electronic deviceas the long-press input or the short-press input based on a comparisonresult of the posture data and the movement data.
 3. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured toobtain the movement data corresponding to the rolling motion in astandby mode.
 4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the standbymode is a sleep mode or a power saving mode.
 5. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured to obtain themovement data corresponding to the rolling motion of the electronicdevice if a user's touch is made on a predetermined position of theelectronic device.
 6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the atleast one function includes releasing a standby mode.
 7. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein the at least one function includes at leastone function related to an activated application.
 8. An operation methodof an electronic device having a curved bottom, the method comprising:obtaining movement data corresponding to a rolling motion of theelectronic device by the curved bottom, the movement data comprisingthree-axis values from one of an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor;determining the rolling motion of the electronic device as a long-pressinput or a short-press input based on the movement data; and performingat least one function corresponding to the determination of thelong-press input or the short-press input.
 9. The method of claim 8,wherein obtaining the movement data corresponding to the rolling motionof the electronic device comprises obtaining the movement datacorresponding to the rolling motion in a standby mode.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the standby mode is a sleep mode or a power savingmode.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein obtaining the movement datacorresponding to the rolling motion of the electronic device comprises,if a user's touch is made on a predetermined position of the electronicdevice, obtaining the movement data corresponding to the rolling motionof the electronic device.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the atleast one function includes the reproducing of audio content ordisplaying of video content.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the atleast one function includes releasing a standby mode.
 14. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the at least one function includes at least onefunction related to an activated application.
 15. The method of claim14, further comprising activating the application in response to atleast one event.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least oneevent includes at least one of call reception, message reception, or thearrival of a specific time.
 17. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising obtaining posture data of the electronic device if theelectronic device does not move within a threshold time, the posturedata comprising the three-axis values from the acceleration sensor orthe gyro sensor, wherein determining the rolling motion of theelectronic device as the long-press input or the short-press input basedon the movement data comprises: determining the rolling motion of theelectronic device as the long-press input or the short-press input basedon a comparison result of the posture data and the movement data.